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DRAFT RECOMMENDATION (COM(2023)0791 – C90000/2024 – 2023/0464(NLE))

On the proposal for a Council decision on the conclusion, on behalf of the European Union, of the Partnership Agreement between the European Union and its Member States, of the one part, and the Members of the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific (OACPS) States, of the other part

DEVE-PR-758023

Committee on Development · Rapporteur: Tomas Tobé

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The draft report concerns the Partnership Agreement between the EU and its Member States and the Members of the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS), signed in Samoa on 15 November 2023. The rapporteur recommends that Parliament give its consent to the conclusion of the agreement. The agreement replaces the Cotonou Agreement and provisionally entered into force in January 2024. It sets a framework with a common Foundation and regional protocols for Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific, guided by the UN 2030 Agenda and the Paris Agreement. The rapporteur stresses that implementation needs a meaningful budget under the NDICI-Global Europe Instrument, links to the Global Gateway initiative, and the mobilisation of other development finance aligned with development objectives. The rapporteur calls for parliamentary diplomacy through the OACPS-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly and the three new Regional Assemblies, and for a rapid, open and transparent mechanism for structured cooperation with stakeholders.

Committee position. The rapporteur recommends that Parliament give its consent to the conclusion of the agreement, while stressing the need for a meaningful budget, links to Global Gateway, parliamentary diplomacy and a structured cooperation mechanism with stakeholders.

Key points

  1. Parliament gives its consent to the conclusion of the Partnership Agreement between the EU and its Member States and the Members of the OACPS.
  2. The Cotonou Agreement, signed in 2000 for 20 years, was supposed to expire in February 2020; negotiations ended in December 2020 and the successor agreement was signed in Samoa on 15 November 2023.
  3. The Samoa Agreement provisionally entered into force in January 2024 and provides a strengthened, modernised and more ambitious cooperation framework beyond traditional development cooperation.
  4. The agreement has a common Foundation for all parties and tailor-made regional protocols for Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific, and identifies the UN 2030 Agenda and the Paris Agreement as guiding frameworks.
  5. The agreement is based on six joint priorities: human rights, democracy and governance; human and social development; inclusive, sustainable economic growth and development; environmental sustainability and climate change; and migration and mobility.
  6. The rapporteur welcomes provisions on global alliances and international cooperation, with both parties stressing commitment to the rules-based international order and multilateral solutions.
  7. The rapporteur stresses development effectiveness and welcomes the agreement's acknowledgement that means of cooperation should be diversified across policies, instruments, sources and actors.
  8. Implementation needs a meaningful budget under the NDICI-Global Europe Instrument, and efforts should maintain the level of support to ACP partners in coming years.
  9. Strong links are needed between the Samoa Agreement and the Global Gateway initiative launched in December 2021, and other development finance should be mobilised and aligned with development policy objectives.
  10. The rapporteur insists on parliamentary diplomacy and democratic accountability at all levels, with a role for the OACPS-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly and the three new Regional Assemblies.
  11. The rapporteur calls for the rapid setting up of an open and transparent mechanism for structured cooperation to ensure effective stakeholder participation during implementation.
  12. Under Article 218(6) TFEU, Parliament's consent is required for the Council to adopt a decision on the conclusion of the agreement.

Who is affected

  • The EU and its member states, as parties to the agreement.
  • The Members of the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States, as the other party.
  • Local authorities, civil society and private sector representatives, who should participate in implementation.

Figures and deadlines

  • 20 years — the period for which the Cotonou Agreement was signed in 2000.
  • February 2020 — the date the Cotonou Agreement was supposed to expire.
  • December 2020 — when negotiations for the successor agreement ended.
  • 15 November 2023 — the date the agreement was signed in Samoa.
  • January 2024 — when the Samoa Agreement provisionally entered into force.
  • December 2021 — when the Global Gateway initiative was launched.

Legal basis: Articles 207(4), first subparagraph, and 218(6), second subparagraph, point (a)(v), of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union.